Mccolgan and Twell come up short as Semenya eases to 1,500m glory
The women’s 1,500 metres final at Gold Coast 2018 was firmly pre-destined to be a contest split into two races.
The unworldly Caster Semenya competing only against the clock for gold and, behind the omnipotent South African, the scrap for silver and bronze and a slice of bragging rights between a mammoth home nation contingent.
With Semenya bolting clear with half a half remaining, it immediately ignited a scrap between the best of the rest.
Kenya’s Beatrice Chepkoech stole a march, and it became a mass sprint for bronze. Although Eilish Mccolgan kicked high and hard as the finish loomed, it was Melissa Courtney of Wales who poached a place on the podium, with the Scot finishing in sixth.
Into the back straight, a medal felt within her grasp, the Scot admitted.
“I don’t know what more I could have done,” Mccolgan said. “I maybe waited too long because those girls are specialists and over the last 100, it takes me longer to get my legs going.
“I’m gutted because I was so close and it was there.”
Steph Twell was one place further back, with the bronze medallist of 2010 in prime shape before she, and her compatriot, return for the 5,000m later this week.
“I am carrying momentum, my body is obviously entering a peak phase,” she claimed. “From my Brisbane race about a week ago, that was 4.08, then 4.08 and now I’ve knocked it down to 4.05.
“That is amazing. It just shows what can happen when you are in a quality field.”
Para world champion Sammi Kinghorn, meanwhile, came fourth in the T54 1,500m final in 3:37.91 as Australia’s Madison de Rozario landed gold with the Borderer now set to gear up for Sunday’s marathon.
Eilidh Doyle eased into tomorrow’s 400m hurdles final by comfortably winning her heat in 54.80 secs but Zoey Clark failed to progress out of the 400m semis.
Jake Wightman moved into tonight’s 800m semis by coming second in his initial outing.
However Guy Learmonth exited ignominiously, short of fitness and form as he pressed reverse during the longunwindtowardhomeand ended up sixth.
“It’s the worst I’ve ever felt for the last 100,” said the Borderer, who has had to recover from a foot injury.
“I felt like I was walking – it probably looked like that as well.”